Week 7 Running Back Preview: Saquon Barkley's Back; Here's How to Play Him
Top 49 Fantasy RBs for Week 7
Here are the top Week 7 running backs, with usage and matchup details that drive their positioning in the Week 7 RB rankings.
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1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs leads all RBs in fantasy points per game. He also leads the position in carry share (82.0%) and targets per game (6.8). Coming off the bye, he faces a Packers defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to RBs. With the Lions implied for 28.3 points, Gibbs is the top RB play of the week.
2. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
We finally got vintage Christian McCaffrey with a 9-catch outing in Monday’s win over the Commanders. Myriad injury issues around him -- most notably WR Mike Evans and his Achilles tendinitis -- should keep McCaffrey more involved in the passing game than he had been in recent weeks. San Francisco’s high-level offensive efficiency also boosts the TD potential, as we’ve seen in McCaffrey scoring for five straight games.
3. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Not much changed with Bijan Robinson’s usage for his disappointing Week 6 outing, though he did see a drop in route and target share. Neither rate marked a season low, however, which indicates that’s more blip than worrisome development. Most encouragingly, the extra receiving work didn’t go directly to Brian Robinson Jr. but rather got spread around. That can happen when your offense is clawing back from a 21-7 halftime deficit against a Bears team that won’t stop scoring. The Falcons could face similar conditions against the 49ers this week, but that’s not nearly enough to challenge Robinson’s status for your lineup.
4. Kenneth Walker, Kansas City Chiefs
Kenneth Walker has posted at least 20 PPR points in all five weeks he’s played, more such weeks than any other RB. He’s producing 27.6 PPR points per game to rank as the RB2 ahead of a Week 7 matchup against a Seahawks team that elected to let him walk in free agency. Walker projects as an RB1 against a defense boosting RB production by 5.6%.
5. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams’ carries dipped in a surprisingly difficult game against the Cardinals last week, and he didn’t make up for it with receiving numbers. But Williams did remain clearly ahead of Blake Corum, reaching 70% playing time for the fourth straight game, 50% route share for the third straight game, and 12+% target share for the fourth straight game. Continue trusting Williams through this week’s matchup with a sagging Raiders D.
6. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Last week marked just the second time since he joined the Ravens that Derrick Henry scored 5.0 PPR points or fewer. Both have come against the Browns. He still accounted for a 73.9% carry share to maintain a fifth-ranked carry share at 72.6%. Henry projects as an RB1 despite the Bengals allowing the eighth-fewest points to RBs. Cincinnati has played the run better than in the past but has allowed 4.4 yards per rush to RBs and sits merely 13th in rush DVOA.
7. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
Played Thursday night
8. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Javonte Williams is handling a 69.7% carry share this season that jumps to a 79.2% mark since Week 4, ranking fourth among RBs. He’s turned it into the 19th-most rushing yards per game, but his 1.2 rush TDs per game keeps him in RB1 range. Only two RBs have scored at a higher rate. Williams projects as an RB1 facing an Eagles defense allowing the fifth-most rushing TDs.
9. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown comes out of the bye week as one of just four RBs accounting for at least a 60% carry share and 15% target share. He’s also one of just three RBs to handle both a 20-carry week and 10-target week. His high-end usage on the Bengals’ No. 9 scoring offense keeps him projected as an RB1 despite facing a Ravens defense that’s allowed the sixth-fewest points to RBs.
10. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren had a quiet Week 6, finishing as RB23 on 14 carries for 50 yards and 2 catches. He has still outscored his expected fantasy points by 2.5 per game this season. Warren handles 68.9% of the Steelers’ carries and ranks seventh among RBs in targets per game (5.0). Now he gets a Saints defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to RBs in the league. Warren is a low-end RB1 with a strong bounce-back setup.
11. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor runs into the Vikings’ top-ranked RB defense this weekend. Minnesota is reducing RB scoring by 34.3%, allowing just 3.8 yards per carry and the fewest receptions to the position. You’re not sitting Taylor in season-long leagues, but temper expectations this week.
12. Braelon Allen, New York Jets
A questionable Breece Hall challenges Braelon Allen’s status. If Hall remains out, Allen should be a fairly easy start. If Hall returns, we’d still bet on a decent role for Allen, though probably not enough to keep him inside the top 24 of our Week 7 rankings. In three games without the starter, Allen's 80% carry share ranks ninth among RBs. And his 64% route rate ranks third. Mix in a positive matchup with Miami -- they're third-worst in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs -- and Allen becomes an easy fantasy starter if Hall sits.
13. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Chuba Hubbard had a strong Week 6 with 28 carries for 120 yards and a TD, finishing as RB7. He handles 72.4% of Carolina’s carries, sixth-highest among RBs. He’s also outscored his expected points by 4.5 per game, so some regression could be coming. Tampa Bay has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to RBs. Hubbard’s limited receiving role (2.6 targets per game) keeps him a mid-range RB2.
14. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty has seen decreased playing time and opportunities over the past two weeks while dealing with ankle and foot trouble. He’s off this week’s injury report, which should mean a healthier version of Vegas’ lead back. But his weak 3.2 yards per rush for the season could continue the challenge to his playing time. It at least makes Jeanty a RB2-level play rather than a sure fantasy starter. The Rams’ normally stout run D at least takes a hit with the losses of DTs Kobie Turner and Poona Ford.
15. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving had a rough Week 6, turning 19 carries into just 46 yards and finishing as RB34. The volume remains strong with 16.0 carries per game (11th among RBs). This is a great spot for a rebound against a Panthers defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to RBs. Irving is a low-end RB1 this week.
16. Woody Marks, Houston Texans
Woody Marks controlled backfield work last week, tallying 15 carries and 3 targets on a 78% snap rate. With RBs David Montgomery AND Jawhar Jordan out this Sunday, Marks could see even more volume. And the spot is excellent. The Texans are 10.5-point home favorites with a 26.5-point implied total against the Giants’ 25th-ranked RB defense.
17. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley hasn’t played since Week 4 due to a hamstring injury and has only finished two games this year after a stinger also caused him to exit Week 2 early. He’s produced 80 yards in both games he’s finished this season, but he returns to an offense now led by QB Tanner McKee. Barkley projects as an RB2 in his first game against a Cowboys defense allowing the 10th most points to RBs.
18. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Quinshon Judkins has participated in practice throughout this week. He has remained limited, but that’s an improvement vs. last week, when he managed just a limited Friday before missing the game. HC Todd Monken has said he expects to get his starter back, though, and it’s a positive matchup. Tennessee has faced the second-most rushing attempts vs. the ninth-fewest pass attempts, thanks to weakness on both offense and defense. The visiting Browns arrive as slight favorites, which supports Judkins’ potential for rushing volume.
19. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Played Thursday night
20. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs returns from the commissioner’s exempt list and will likely make his first start this season. He ranked RB10 in fantasy points per game last season and outscored his expected points by 14.8 for the year. Green Bay has been far more pass-heavy this season (65.7% pass rate vs. 51.3% last year), which could limit his volume. Detroit is a neutral matchup, allowing the 19th-most points to RBs. Use Jacobs as a volatile RB2 who has upside, but could be eased in and only receive partial work this week.
21. Ollie Gordon, Miami Dolphins
Ollie Gordon has emerged as Miami’s lead back, helping him hit 18 touches in two of his past three games. Now he’s coming off a bye week to face a Jets unit that sits mid-pack in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Keep using Gordon as an RB2.
22. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard’s workload has been strong, particularly a 66.4% carry share that ranks eighth among multi-game starters. His efficiency has been OK (4.0 yards per rush), but a dearth of TDs has limited his scoring. Cleveland looks tough on that front, allowing a league-low 1 RB rushing score so far. But the Browns have yielded 4.6 yards per rush to RBs. So it’s not actually a difficult rushing matchup.
23. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
We’ll see what Minnesota’s backfield looks like with Jordan Mason back this week. With Mason healthy in the opener, Aaron Jones tallied 12 carries and 1 target on a 46% snap rate. That’s a fair expectation for Week 7. The matchup is excellent against the Colts, who sit dead last in our run-defense power rankings and 26th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.
24. J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
There’s at least a chance that J.K. Dobbins’ role is scaled back with rookie Jonah Coleman expected to return to the lineup. Dobbins has reached 17 carries in three of four games without Coleman, although he’s notched only 3.1 yards per carry. A negative matchup with Arizona adds to the downside case and puts Dobbins deep in RB2 range.
25. Emanuel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Since fellow RB Jadarian Price landed on IR with a chest injury in Week 4, Emanuel Wilson’s handled a 66.3% carry share that ranks 13th among RBs over that span. Wilson moved up these rankings after Seattle ruled Zach Charbonnet out on Friday.
26. RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
RJ Harvey enters the weekend with 4+ targets and 3+ catches in four of his five games. Next up is an Arizona unit that’s allowed the second-fewest catches (3.0 per game) to opposing RBs. He remains a low-ceiling RB2/flex.
27. Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Mason’s workload is uncertain coming off his thumb injury. He carried 15 times on a 45% snap rate in the opener and could reach that level this weekend. The matchup is excellent against the Colts, who sit dead last in our Run Defense Power Rankings and 26th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. The Vikings are 6.5-point home favorites with a 24-point implied total (tied for ninth-highest of the week).
28. Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals
We’re expecting Jeremiyah Love to miss another game after sitting out practice on Wednesday and Thursday. That would give Tyler Allgeier a chance to rebound from a forgettable Week 6 that included only 38 yards on 18 attempts. He’ll likely remain in a split with Zonovan Knight, who delivered a surprising 5.3 yards per carry vs. the Rams. But we’ll sell that one-game sample as being enough to boost Knight into a lead back role. Allgeier ultimately settles in as a viable flex.
29. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
Blake Corum drew his second-largest carry share of the season in last week’s loss to the Cardinals, his largest share since Week 2. He remains well behind Kyren Williams, especially in the passing game, but can offer fill-in level starting value if you’re dealing with a starter’s bye. The Raiders arrive as the 10th-weakest defense in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.
30. Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
Kendre Miller got a big workload in Week 6, turning 20 carries into 70 yards and finishing as RB26. He appears to have firmly passed Alvin Kamara as the lead rusher while Travis Etienne is on IR. Miller offers almost nothing as a receiver with 1.6 targets per game. Pittsburgh has been about average against RBs (20th-most fantasy points allowed), so Miller is a volume-based RB3 who needs a TD.
31. Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals
Bam Knight’s Week 6 rushing yardage (80) marked his highest total since 2022. He’ll likely have a chance to split touches with Tyler Allgeier again this week with Jeremiyah Love unlikely to play. He’s a low-end flex against Denver.
32. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara salvaged his Week 6 with a receiving TD, finishing as RB12. Without the score, his 7 carries wouldn’t have added up to much. He has handled just 27.6% of the Saints’ carries, but his 4.0 targets per game (13th among RBs) keep him relevant in PPR. Kamara is a flex-only RB3 against a neutral Steelers run defense.
33. TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
Played Thursday night
34. Rico Dowdle, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rico Dowdle returned last week from injury and was relegated to the No. 2 RB behind Jaylen Warren. He only has a 35.5% carry share on the season, ranking RB53 in PPR fantasy points per game. The Saints have allowed the most fantasy points to RBs, which gives him some appeal. But Pittsburgh has the second-lowest run rate in the league (33.9%), limiting the backup’s chances. Dowdle is an RB3 who likely needs a TD.
35. Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Although he’s played well behind D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson has still logged 12 and 15 opportunities over the last 2 weeks. His workload is still hard to trust, but in a rough week at RB, Johnson is in play as an emergency starter against a Patriots squad sitting 26th in our Run Defense Power Rankings.
36. George Holani, Seattle Seahawks
George Holani gets the added challenge of Zach Charbonnet’s expected return. That’s likely to render him near-useless, though we’ll see just how much Charbonnet plays.
37. Pierre Strong, Green Bay Packers
Pierre Strong has filled in during Josh Jacobs’ absence, finishing as RB21 last week on 11 carries for 28 yards and 5 catches. His 5.0 targets per game give him some PPR value. But Jacobs will return this week and should take back the lead role. Detroit is a neutral matchup for RBs, making Strong an RB3 at best who may get work as Jacobs is eased in.
38. Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Tyjae Spears gets close to the RB3 fringe just because of the position’s overall lack of options. But the fact that he doesn’t crack the top 36 in a decent matchup shows you how weak a case Spears presents. Two of his past three games have included three touches or fewer. If you need to play him, pray for Tennessee to fall desperately behind the Browns as they did against Houston two weeks ago. That’s when Spears spiked for 9 catches.
39. Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
Cam Skattebo played just 6 snaps and finished without a touch last week. RB Najee Harris’ release could mean more action for Skattebo this Sunday, but it’s impossible to predict this backfield right now. What we do know is that the matchup is difficult against Houston’s 11th-ranked RB defense. Try to avoid the Giants’ backfield this week.
40. Kenneth Gainwell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kenneth Gainwell has been a minor piece of the Tampa Bay backfield with just 3.2 carries per game. He finished as RB49 last week on 2 carries and a catch. His 2.8 targets per game give him a bit of PPR value, and Carolina has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to RBs. Still, Gainwell is a deep-league RB4 who needs a Bucky Irving injury to become startable.
41. Tyrone Tracy, New York Giants
Tyrone Tracy’s 18.5 PPR points last week came on just 8 touches. The performance could earn him more work going forward, especially after RB Najee Harris was released this week, but it’s impossible to know for sure. Sunday also brings a tough matchup vs. Houston’s 11th-ranked RB defense. Try to avoid the Giants’ backfield this week.
42. Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
Justice Hill left Week 6 without accounting for a carry for the first time this season, but still amassed 3 targets. He’s produced less than 5.0 PPR points in every week outside of Week 5 when he achieved 9.8 PPR points to rank as the RB28 thanks to a 47-yard rush against the Falcons. Hill projects as an RB4 against a Bengals defense allowing the fifth-fewest receptions to RBs.
43. Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals
In Samaje Perine’s last game before the bye week, he amounted to a team- and season-high 48.3% carry share, with fellow RB Chase Brown averaging just 3.0 yards per carry and fumbling in the red zone. While Brown is still expected to lead this backfield in carry share moving forward, Perine’s 44th ranked snap share among RBs keeps him projected as an RB4 in Week 7.
44. Mike Washington, Las Vegas Raiders
Mike Washington would carry some upside in the injury status and lackluster performance of Ashton Jeanty, but Washington's own health looks iffy for this week.
45. Devin Singletary, New York Giants
Devin Singletary led a jumbled Giants backfield with a 40% snap rate last week but totaled just 33 scoreless yards on 5 touches. It’s impossible to know what this backfield will look like in Week 7, and there’s minimal upside against Houston’s 11th-ranked RB defense. Try to avoid the Giants’ backfield this week.
46. Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns
The Browns expect to get Dylan Sampson back for the first time since Week 1. Tough to know what we can expect from him given that we have yet to see him touch the ball this year.
47. Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos
The Broncos designated Jonah Coleman for return from injured reserve on Wednesday. But HC Sean Payton didn’t indicate that the rookie would see a sizable role in his first game back. “We think it’s a deep room and a talented room…” Payton said when asked about the boost that Coleman could provide. Coleman could take over the lead back role later this season, but you should be in wait-and-see mode vs. Arizona.
48. Kaelon Black, San Francisco 49ers
Kaelon Black’s 8 carries in the win over Washington were his most since the surprising Week 1 usage. He still hasn’t reached 40 total yards in a game since the opener, though.
49. Emmett Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
Emmett Johnson has amassed just 9 carries and averaged 2.6 yards per rush over his past three games. But he’s fared better as a receiver. The rookie has caught two balls in three of five appearances this year and averaged 9+ yards per catch in every game. If you’re looking this far down the list, that’s at least a hint of upside, especially against a Seattle D tied for fourth-most receptions allowed to RBs.
Time to Set Your Lineup
Before you check your Team Dashboard, check out the start-sit recommendations Jared and Matt deliver in this Week 6 preview video.
